Summary
Influenza is a major public health burden, with seasonal outbreaks contributing significantly to mortality worldwide, and the emergence of pandemic strains remaining an ever-present threat. Influenza drug and vaccine conception efforts are aided by a thorough understanding of its molecular biology.
A key aspect of the influenza lifecycle is the production of capped and poly-adenylated messenger RNA by the heterotrimeric influenza polymerase (FluPol). Ground-breaking work performed by the Cusack lab, has described with residue-resolution detail, the FluPol structures that form during transcription of short, non-nucleoprotein (NP) bound viral RNAs (vRNAs). However, influenza transcription in vivo occurs within the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particle and does not utilise naked genome segments. The viral RNP (vRNP) is a super-helical complex composed FluPol bound at the conserved 3′ and 5′ ends of a vRNA, which is coated with NP. The current low-resolution structures provide little information about the molecular details of vRNP function, particularly, how NPs interact with FluPol and the vRNA template.
Via an inter-disciplinary approach, I will utilise cryo-electron microscopy methods, transcription assays and single-molecule fluorescence, to obtain the first high resolution structure of a dynamic influenza vRNP, with a particular focus on the spatial organisation of NPs relative to FluPol. In addition to this work facilitating future influenza drug research, it will provide a basis to investigate the vRNP during other lifecycle stages and act as proof-of-principle for study of other viral protein-RNA complexes, such as those from corona-, arena- and bunyaviruses.
Work will be performed in the groups of Stephen Cusack and Olivier Duss based at EMBL Grenoble and Heidelberg, respectively. Here, I will have access to world-leading facilities and training opportunities, supporting my growth as an independent researcher and an expert in RNA virus structural biology.
A key aspect of the influenza lifecycle is the production of capped and poly-adenylated messenger RNA by the heterotrimeric influenza polymerase (FluPol). Ground-breaking work performed by the Cusack lab, has described with residue-resolution detail, the FluPol structures that form during transcription of short, non-nucleoprotein (NP) bound viral RNAs (vRNAs). However, influenza transcription in vivo occurs within the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particle and does not utilise naked genome segments. The viral RNP (vRNP) is a super-helical complex composed FluPol bound at the conserved 3′ and 5′ ends of a vRNA, which is coated with NP. The current low-resolution structures provide little information about the molecular details of vRNP function, particularly, how NPs interact with FluPol and the vRNA template.
Via an inter-disciplinary approach, I will utilise cryo-electron microscopy methods, transcription assays and single-molecule fluorescence, to obtain the first high resolution structure of a dynamic influenza vRNP, with a particular focus on the spatial organisation of NPs relative to FluPol. In addition to this work facilitating future influenza drug research, it will provide a basis to investigate the vRNP during other lifecycle stages and act as proof-of-principle for study of other viral protein-RNA complexes, such as those from corona-, arena- and bunyaviruses.
Work will be performed in the groups of Stephen Cusack and Olivier Duss based at EMBL Grenoble and Heidelberg, respectively. Here, I will have access to world-leading facilities and training opportunities, supporting my growth as an independent researcher and an expert in RNA virus structural biology.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101023763 |
| Start date: | 01-07-2021 |
| End date: | 30-06-2023 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 184 707,84 Euro - 184 707,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
Influenza is a major public health burden, with seasonal outbreaks contributing significantly to mortality worldwide, and the emergence of pandemic strains remaining an ever-present threat. Influenza drug and vaccine conception efforts are aided by a thorough understanding of its molecular biology.A key aspect of the influenza lifecycle is the production of capped and poly-adenylated messenger RNA by the heterotrimeric influenza polymerase (FluPol). Ground-breaking work performed by the Cusack lab, has described with residue-resolution detail, the FluPol structures that form during transcription of short, non-nucleoprotein (NP) bound viral RNAs (vRNAs). However, influenza transcription in vivo occurs within the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particle and does not utilise naked genome segments. The viral RNP (vRNP) is a super-helical complex composed FluPol bound at the conserved 3′ and 5′ ends of a vRNA, which is coated with NP. The current low-resolution structures provide little information about the molecular details of vRNP function, particularly, how NPs interact with FluPol and the vRNA template.
Via an inter-disciplinary approach, I will utilise cryo-electron microscopy methods, transcription assays and single-molecule fluorescence, to obtain the first high resolution structure of a dynamic influenza vRNP, with a particular focus on the spatial organisation of NPs relative to FluPol. In addition to this work facilitating future influenza drug research, it will provide a basis to investigate the vRNP during other lifecycle stages and act as proof-of-principle for study of other viral protein-RNA complexes, such as those from corona-, arena- and bunyaviruses.
Work will be performed in the groups of Stephen Cusack and Olivier Duss based at EMBL Grenoble and Heidelberg, respectively. Here, I will have access to world-leading facilities and training opportunities, supporting my growth as an independent researcher and an expert in RNA virus structural biology.
Status
CLOSEDCall topic
MSCA-IF-2020Update Date
28-04-2024
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
